Key facts
- Power banks and spare lithium-ion batteries go in carry-on baggage, not checked bags.
- A lithium-ion battery rated at no more than 100 Wh normally needs no airline approval under FAA rules.
- For allowed 101–160 Wh spare lithium-ion batteries, airline approval is required and a maximum of two per person applies.
- If carry-on baggage is gate-checked, remove spare lithium batteries and power banks and keep them in the cabin.
Yes, you can generally bring a power bank on an airplane in the United States, but it belongs in your carry-on bag—not your checked suitcase. The FAA treats portable charging banks as spare lithium batteries. Their watt-hour (Wh) rating, physical condition and your airline’s rules determine whether they can fly.
Quick answer: where to pack your power bank
Put your power bank in your carry-on or personal item. If airline staff gate-check your carry-on, take the power bank out and bring it into the passenger cabin. Prevent short circuits by keeping terminals protected and avoiding loose contact with metallic objects. Never travel with a damaged, swollen or recalled battery.
FAA lithium-ion battery limits explained
- 100 Wh or less: Most consumer lithium-ion power banks fall in this category and normally do not require airline approval.
- More than 100 Wh, up to 160 Wh: FAA permits certain larger spare lithium-ion batteries only with airline approval, up to two per passenger. The airline may impose stricter conditions.
- More than 160 Wh: Generally prohibited for passenger baggage under the standard spare lithium-ion battery allowances.
The capacity rating must be credible and identifiable. A power bank with unclear labeling may be difficult for staff to verify. These are U.S. rules for passenger aircraft; international authorities and individual airlines may impose stricter rules, including limits on use or charging during flight.
How to calculate watt-hours from mAh
Power bank advertising often emphasizes milliamp-hours (mAh), but FAA limits are expressed in watt-hours. If you know the battery’s nominal cell voltage, calculate: Wh = (mAh ÷ 1,000) × V. Do not substitute the USB output voltage of 5 V for the internal battery’s rated nominal voltage unless the manufacturer explicitly bases the stated capacity on that voltage.
- 10,000 mAh × 3.7 V ÷ 1,000 = 37 Wh.
- 20,000 mAh × 3.7 V ÷ 1,000 = 74 Wh.
- 26,800 mAh × 3.7 V ÷ 1,000 ≈ 99.2 Wh.
These are illustrations assuming a 3.7 V nominal battery; manufacturers may specify a different nominal voltage or Wh value. Prefer the printed Wh marking or the manufacturer’s documentation, especially for multi-cell packs.
Carry-on packing checklist before airport security
- Read the power bank’s Wh rating and identify its manufacturer and model.
- Check the latest airline policy before leaving, including connection or international-carrier rules.
- Keep the battery in your personal item or cabin bag, never in checked luggage.
- Use a protective case or separate pouch to protect it from damage and accidental short circuits.
- Remove it before gate-checking any bag.
- If a device overheats or begins swelling, stop using it and notify cabin crew rather than attempting to manage a smoking battery yourself.
What happens at TSA screening?
TSA lists portable chargers and power banks as carry-on items. A screening officer makes the final checkpoint determination. FAA hazardous-material rules and airline policies govern what can be transported on the aircraft, so a device clearing a security checkpoint is not a substitute for meeting the carriage rules.
Power bank vs installed device battery
A spare power bank is treated differently from a battery installed in a laptop or camera. Many lithium-battery-powered devices may be checked under additional protective conditions, but power banks remain spare batteries and must stay in carry-on baggage. This distinction matters if you are asked to check a laptop bag at the gate.
Related reading and official references
For safe travel arrangements, see our guide to U.S. flight cancellations and refunds and our power outage and portable-energy safety guide. Consult FAA PackSafe: Lithium Batteries and TSA: Portable Chargers and Power Banks immediately before travel.
Image: real portable power bank, Hussein Adam Hussein / Wikimedia Commons, CC0 1.0. Rules checked for a November 2026 editorial guide; airline rules and regulations may change.
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Can I pack a 20,000 mAh power bank in my carry-on?
Usually yes if it is a typical 3.7 V lithium-ion pack rated at about 74 Wh, subject to airline restrictions. Verify the actual Wh marking and manufacturer specifications.
Can a power bank go in checked luggage?
No. Spare lithium batteries, including power banks, are prohibited in checked baggage under U.S. FAA rules.
Do I need airline approval for a 150 Wh power bank?
A spare lithium-ion battery in the 101–160 Wh range requires airline approval, and at most two such spare batteries per passenger are permitted under FAA rules. Confirm the airline accepts the battery before travel.